New Jersey Devils forward Nico Hischier returns to Switzerland for a preseason NHL matchup against the Bern team at the Postfinance-Arena, with faceoff scheduled for Monday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. local time (5:30 p.m. UTC), according to Schweiz heute reporting. The sold-out contest marks the final tune-up for the Devils before the club travels to Sweden to open the regular season.
Postfinance-Arena Sells Out for Bern Homecoming
Fans unable to secure seats inside the arena can watch the broadcast live and free of charge via the Swiss television channel Teleclub Zoom.
Stockholm Regular Season Opener Awaits After Bern
Following Monday’s exhibition in the Swiss capital, the Devils pack their bags for Scandinavia. New Jersey faces the Edmonton Oilers in a regular-season game scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. The trip abroad kicks off competitive play for both franchises before they return to North America to grind through the grueling 82-game schedule.
Hischier Reflects on Career Influences and Swiss Roots
Ahead of his temporary homecoming, Hischier opened up about his hockey upbringing, his preferences on the ice, and the figures who shaped his path to the NHL. The former EHC Visp junior player chose his hometown club over SC Bern when discussing his Swiss roots. He also weighed in on his early coaches, pointing out that both junior coach André Tourigny in Halifax and Devils head coach John Hynes played critical roles in his development.
“André Tourigny is a very good coach who helped me get used to North American hockey,” Hischier noted in interviews covered by Schweiz heute. Regarding his current bench boss, he added that receiving heavy trust from John Hynes during an NHL rookie campaign is far from standard, and when asked to choose between God and the Devils, he stated, “Auch wenn ich bei den New Jersey Devils, den Teufeln, spiele, wähle ich Gott.” He also noted that before games he likes to get into the right mindset listening to rap.
When discussing his style of play, Hischier stated, “Ich spiele lieber den letzten Pass, als dass ich das Tor erziele,” preferring power play situations because his playmaking qualities come into play more in those moments.
The Open Question in Stockholm and Bern
Whether the young Swiss center can translate his preseason preparation into an offensive explosion during the upcoming game against Edmonton is uncertain as the Devils continue their overseas tour.
Worth a look
